Ornamental necktie clasp



Dec. 11, 1951 1. F. cHlcHEsTER ORNAMENTAL. NECKTIE CLASP Filed Jan. 27. 1949 Patented Dec. 11, `1951 ORNAMENTAL NECKTIE CLASP Irving F. Chichester, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Hickok Manufacturing Co. Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 27, 1949, Serial No. I73,193

1 claim. 1

This invention relates to improvements in jewelry and has reference especially to a novel construction of necktie clasp.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved necktie clasp of simple. efficient, inexpensive construction having a front portion that will enable the ready selective association and securing of character elements thereon so that the same will be displayed to present a pleasing ornamental appearance. p

The invention comprehends a necktie clasp having a relatively long, slender, tubular front `member of relatively light construction adapted to receive therein attaching portions of character elements or members to support the same iri upright position thereon and a particularly important novel feature of the invention resides inthe special construction of the tubular character holder -member and its connection with a rear clamping member, whereby the tubular character holder member is reinforced by the connecting means, and a simple, strong, eiiicient clasp is provided that can be produced at low cost.

The invention, with other obtiects and advantages thereof, and the particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts comprising the same will be understoodv from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and illustrating two embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a necktie clasp constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; Y

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3,-3 of Fig. 2;

F1514 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section to an enlarged scaleon the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; i

Fig..6 is a transverse section on the line 6--6 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 'l and 8 are respectively a detail rear perspective and top plan view of one kof the character elements; o

Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the characte element shown in Fig. 7; f

Fig. 10 is a transverse section of a slightly modified form of the tubular front member with a slightly modified form of character element mounted thereon;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a of the device;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on the line I3|3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a transverse section on the line Ill-I4 of Fig. 11;

Figs. 15 and 16 are respectively a detail side elevation and end elevation of one of the character elements of the construction shown in Fig. 11.

While two embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that minor changes and modifications may be made in the particular constructions shown and the invention may be embodied in other formsk as Will appeal to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to a detailed description of the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 8 of the drawings, the construction shown comprises a relatively long, slender, flat front bar I1 having a reverting end portion I8 to the end of which is pivotally connected, intermediate its ends, a spring-pressed clamping member I9. In accordance with the present invention. a tubular member 26 is secured on the front bar Il at the front side thereof, said tubular member being adapted to support thereon a plurality of character elements 2|. The tubular character holder member 20 is of substantially the same length and width as the front bar I'l and conceals the same from view from the front side thereof. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the tubular front member 20 is substantially half-round or of general semi-circular shape in cross section, the same having a curved front wall 22 and a flat back wall 23, the

latter tting against the front face of the iront bar Il and being soldered or otherwise suitably secured thereon.

The tubular character holder member 20 is provided in the upper side of its curved front wall 22 with a longitudinal slot 24 adjoining the back modied form wall 23, the slot extending throughout the full length of the tubular member. rThe tubular member is made from relatively light metal tubing of general semi-circular cross sectional form, the longitudinal slot 24 being milled in the curved wall 22. At each end, the tubular member 2B has a tab 25 extending from its back wall 23.

In this particular exemplification of the invention, there are three individual character elements 2| shown as initial letters S, R, H. The character elements are constructed from sheet metal. Metal of about one-sixteenth inch in thickness is preferably employed for` the character elements. Each of the character elements 2l has a lower portion 2% adapted to slidably nt in the longitudinal slot 24 of the tubular member 2li, and said lower portion being provided, on its front face, with a longitudinal groove 2 to-ilt around the edge portion of the curved wall `22 bordering the longitudinal slot 24. 'ljhe lower portion 26 of each of the character elements has. at each end, a lug extension28 extending laterally and forwardly therefrom at substantially a right angle thereto, said lugs at the portion thereof adjoining said lower portion being rounded or curved as shown. `'Ihe lug extensions 28 are substantially 'semi-circular shaped and Yof a size to slidably t within the tubular member 2e, and when engaged therewith, act to firmly hold the character elements 2| on the tubular member in upright position relatively thereto.

Theinitial letters or other character elements 24|, selected as desired to suit theV purchaser, are mounted on the tubular memberZil by inserting the lug extensions 28 thereof into the same from either end thereof, after which the tabs 25 are folded inwardly to close the ends of the tubular member, the parts being Vso proportioned vthat when all of the initial letters *2| have been mounted on the tubular member, the closure tabs 25 will Vbear against lthe outermost 'of the lug extensions 28 of the character elements at either end of the tubular member so that the character elements Vare securely held in position` thereon. As will be understood, the'character elements may -be removed 'by bending back -one of therclosure *tabs 25.

flhe modi-fied form of `character element and tubular character `holder member, shown in Fig. 1U, isthe same as thathe'rei'nbefore described and illustrated in Fig; 5 te'xceptthat the longi'ti-ldinal slot in -the upper side of the curved front wall 22 ofthe tubular member is not located 'directly ade joining the 'back Wall 23 but slightly forwardly thereof and thecharacter elements are eachjprovided with a, longitudinal groove in veach side face thereof to nt around the edge portions ofthe curved Wall 22 at opposite sides of the .longitudinalslot therein. In Fig. 10,29 designates the curved front wall of theftubular member and 3G isthe back Wall thereof. 3| is the character element provided with a groove 32 in each side face of its lower portion 33. (34, designates the retaining lug at one end of the lower portion 33.

It will be noted that, by the particular construction and arrangement of parts hereinbefore set forth, a necktie clasp of simple, e'fcent, in expensive construction is .provided that has Ya tubular front portion providing for rthe ready selective association andvholding of initial letters orthe like -thereon to present a pleasing ornamental appearance. The tubular character hold,- er -front portion is provided. in a simple waythe same Vbeing economically madel of `relatively light metal tubingueasily secured on the frontbar of v clamping member 3l.

the clasp, the latter reinforcing the relatively light tubular character holder member and providing a firm connection of the same with the rear clamping member so that a strong, satisfactory, and at the same time ornamental construction is afforded that can be produced at low cost, the front bar of the clasp structure being concealed from view from the front by the character holder member.

Referring to the modified form of the device illustrated in Figs. l1 to 16, this, like the construction hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figsl `to l0, comprises a front bar having a reverting 'end portion onthe end of which is pivotally mounted a rear spring-pressed clamping verting end portion on the outer end of which is pivotally `mounted the rear spring-pressed v In this modified form of the device, the tubular character holder member designated' isround in cross section, the same being of substantially the same length and Width as the front bar 35 and suitably secured on the front side thereof. 39 designates the longitudinal slot in the upper side of the tubular member 38, and 40 are the character elements 'adapted to slidably flt into the longitudinal slotii of the tubular member and each having at' its lower end an elongated portion 4I which is Vcircular in cross section and of a size to fit within the tubular member and hold the character elements thereon.

At the ends of the tubular member 38 are closure plugs, each having a reduced portion, 42 fitting into one end of the tubular member 38 and having an elongated head 43 extending outwardly therefrom, said head being lof the same cross sectional size and shape as the tubular member and forming a continuation thereof. The reduced portion d2 of the closure plug at one end of the tublar member 38 is xedly secured in any suitable way therein. The other closure plug detachably nts on the other end of the tubular member, the reduced portion 42 of saidclos'ure plug being threaded to engage the Ainteriorly threaded portion 44 on this end of the ltubular member.

This application .contains similar subject matter to that disclosed v'in copendi'ngappl'icati'ons Serial Nos.v 73,191 4and 73,192. Subject 'matter shownin this case but .not claimed is claimed in copending application 73,191. .The present application 73,193 differs from the other cases referred to by ,the particular means disclosed therein for connecting the tubular front portion of the clasp to the rear clamping member, and also in theparticularmeans .for locking .the character. elements in engagementwith the .tubular front portion.

What I claim is:

A necktie clasp including anfelongated. hat front bar to t over the front of a ne'cktie, a rear clamping member connected with -thefront bar, a longitudinally extending tubular member on the front sideof the front bar of substantiallyt'the same length and width as-the front bar and substantially concealingthe same from View` at 'the front side thereof, said tubular member having a flat back .wall fitting against :and secured to the front face of said front bar, :and .saiditubular member being provided in its .upper vvside with a longitudinalslot extendingthroughout the 'length thereof, a plurality of Icharacter, elementsyof 5 general plate-like form to slidably flt in the longitudinal slot of the tubular iront member and each having means at its lower end to slidably t Within the tubular front member adapted to be inserted therein from one end thereof and to hold the character elements thereon standing out from the upper side thereof, said tubular front member having tab extensions at either end thereof extending from its back Wall adapted to be bent inwardly to close the ends of the tubular front member and secure the character elements thereon.

IRVING F. CHICHESTER.'

REFERENCES CITED The following vreferences are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Herzog Api'. 6, 1909 Thunell July 9, 1918 Field Dec. 6, 1932 Lobel June 6, 1933 Wilson Apr. 14, 1936 Reilly Apr. 21, 1936 Mix May 4, 1936 Mix May 4, 1937 Stupell Oct. 31, 1939 

